The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1887-11-04
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.


One of the busiest men in Washington is
President Cleveland, who is now absorbed in
investigating the reports Of government bureau
officers and statistical works for the purpose OF
preparing his annual message to Congress-
Most of the large libraries in the Capital have
contributed something 10 The end in view, and
| doubt whether even the encyclopedia is an
exception.
The President is not the only ole preparing
for the long session of Congress, now so near at
hand, as the Congressman themselves are ar
irving in the city every day,so as to have pien-
ty of time to settle themselves down before be-
ginning the long and laborious task Of next
sessions work, which will probably extend
far INFO the summer. 1t is likely that the
sklrmish line of the Presidential contest OF
1888 will be fought in the Fiftieth Congress,
so i, is highly probable that many exciting
and sensational scenes will be enacted in effort
to manufacture political capital for use in the
pending campaign.
Tha tariff will be the question of all others
that will occupy the attention of that body,
while the disposition of the Treasury surplus
will perhaps be considered as a collateral sub
iect.
Interstate Commerce law will be amended,
and in new legislation, efforts will be made
for the better protection OF railroad passengers
from being roasted to death by heating stoves
and kerosene lamps. Those w:,o advocate gov
eminent control of the telegraph expect to move
in behalf of their f,vori,e III assure A perfect
shower of pension bills may be expected, but
am of the OPT hon that most OF them Will
gracefully repo,e on the table until unceremo-
niously committed TO the Congressional or
Presidential waste-baskets, for leform and re-
trenchment will be the watchwords with Dem
ocrats, while the Republicans will chiefly fig
ure as indictments aud obstruc.ionists
The F isheries Commission, of which you
have heard so much, has engaged thirty two
rooms at one of the leading Lote's and will be-
gin lis deliberations the latter part OF next
week, at which time The arrival Of the British
Commissioners is expected: their American
colleagues are now here in consultation with
Secretary Bayard as to their duties and the ex-
tent of their authority.
The differences of OF ino between the Civ
il Service Commissioners in regard TO the
scope and operations of the law which they
have to enforce, have become so acrinloni-
GUS that their pors oral relations are strained
and the controversy has become public scam
dial. These once digniied officials have fallen
to fighting among Il er.selves like atrio of I'M
ruly schoolboys, and it is not all improbable
that the President will feel il his duty to play
| the role of teacher and give them sample of
his discipline.
For long time the Postotfice Department
was greatly puzzled at the wholesale reduction
i'm the salaries Of those postmasters whose pay
depends upon the amount of postage stamps
cancelled by them-a steady decrease being
noted i'm every case where Democrat has sue
ceeded Republican. But an investigation
shows that the Republican pesimasters had
been making false returns and charging for
stamps sold hut not Cancelled. while, on the
other hand, their Democratic successors have
kept honest accounts with the government
The result is that the old Republican post
masters have been compelled to refund half
a million dollars wrongfully withheld from
the United States. :.Turn the rascals OUT
The third and fourth class postmasters are
dissatisfied with their salaries, and purpose
holding national convention in this city in
December, with the object of calling upon
Congress to provide some way f,r an increase
of their compensation.
Secretary Whitney has temporarily retired
from the Cabinet, on account Of illness brought
on by ovelwolk last summer 1t is hoped
that the genial and popular New Yorker may
soon be restored to health and return to duty
at the head of the Navy Department, where
he has rendered the country such distinguish
ed and substantial public services.
am glad to see thai hundreds Of good Dem
rats in the departments here are showing
a truly commendable party devotion by max
ing arrangements TO return to their old homes
in the doubtful States and vote for the Dem
ocratic candidates in the fall elections.